[Correlation between real-time PCR cycle threshold and clinical classification of COVID-19]. / Correlación entre el umbral de ciclo de la RPC en tiempo real y la clasificación clínica de la COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: The cycle threshold (Ct) of real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) indicates the relative concentration of an RNA sequence, this value has been related to clinical profile in viral infections. AIM: To determine the correlation between the Ct value and the clinical classification of COVID-19. METHOD: A correlational cross-sectional study was carried out, the Ct values were obtained by RT-qPCR directed to the N gene of SARS-CoV-2, grouping them by means of a central robust estimator and related to the clinical classification of COVID-19. RESULTS: Of the 718 cases included in the study; 77.7% (558) were mild; 21.3% (153) moderate and 1% (7) severe. The Ct value was grouped into levels: low Ct < 18.83; medium Ct> 18.83-30.10 and high Ct> 30.10. There was a weak inverse significant correlation (p = 0.002; Spearman's rho = -0.117) between the Ct value and the clinical classification. The characteristics: sex, age under 65 years, fever, chills, diarrhea, anosmia, and overweightobesity were associated with the Ct value. CONCLUSION: The lower the Ct value, a classification of greater severity of COVID-19 is expected, however, because the correlation is weak, its usefulness as a severity predictor is limited.

Correlación entre el umbral de ciclo de la RPC en tiempo real y la clasificación clínica de la COVID-19 / Correlation between real-time PCR cycle threshold and clinical classification of COVID-19

INTRODUCCIÓN: El umbral de ciclo (en inglés cycle threshold-Ct) de la reacción de polimerasa en cadena en tiempo real con transcripción reversa (RT-qPCR) indica la concentración relativa de una secuencia de ARN; este valor se ha relacionado con la expresión de cuadros clínicos en infecciones virales. OBJETIVO: Determinar la correlación entre el valor Ct y la clasificación clínica de la COVID-19. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio transeccional correlacional; los valores Ct se obtuvieron mediante RT-qPCR dirigida al gen N del SARS-CoV-2 agrupándolos mediante un estimador robusto central y relacionándose con la clasificación clínica de la COVID-19. RESULTADOS: De los 718 casos incluidos en el estudio; 77,7% (558) fueron leves; 21,3% (153) moderados y 1% (7) graves. El valor Ct se agrupó en niveles: Ct bajo 18,83 - 30,10 y Ct alto > 30,10. Existió correlación significativa inversa débil (p = 0,002; rho de Spearman = -0,117) entre el valor Ct y la clasificación clínica. Las características: sexo, edad menor a 65 años, fiebre, escalofrío, diarrea, anosmia y sobrepeso-obesidad estuvieron asociadas al valor de Ct. CONCLUSIÓN: A menor valor Ct se espera una clasificación de mayor gravedad de la COVID-19; no obstante, debido a que la correlación es débil, su utilidad como predictor de gravedad es limitada.

BACKGROUND: The cycle threshold (Ct) of real-time reverse transcription PCR (RT-qPCR) indicates the relative concentration of an RNA sequence, this value has been related to clinical profile in viral infections. AIM: To determine the correlation between the Ct value and the clinical classification of COVID-19. METHOD: A correlational cross-sectional study was carried out, the Ct values were obtained by RT-qPCR directed to the N gene of SARS-CoV-2, grouping them by means of a central robust estimator and related to the clinical classification of COVID-19. RESULTS: Of the 718 cases included in the study; 77.7% (558) were mild; 21.3% (153) moderate and 1% (7) severe. The Ct value was grouped into levels: low Ct 18.83-30.10 and high Ct> 30.10. There was a weak inverse significant correlation (p = 0.002; Spearman's rho = -0.117) between the Ct value and the clinical classification. The characteristics: sex, age under 65 years, fever, chills, diarrhea, anosmia, and overweightobesity were associated with the Ct value. CONCLUSION: The lower the Ct value, a classification of greater severity of COVID-19 is expected, however, because the correlation is weak, its usefulness as a severity predictor is limited.

Molecular Sexing of the White-Winged Guan (Penelope albipennis) and Other Wild Birds of the North of Peru.

The use of accurate and reliable techniques for sex determination of wild birds is of special importance in captive breeding programs, especially in birds with monogamous, aggressive behavior, with absence of copulation, and with a low hatching rate. Using PCR, we evaluated the relative efficacy of primers HPF/HPR and CHD1Wr/NP/CHD1Zr in the amplification of the chromo-helicase-DNA binding 1 (CHD1) gene for sex determination in Penelope albipennis and 8 other species of cracids, 4 species of falconids, 4 species of accipitrids, and 3 species of psittacines. Primer effectiveness was compared using previously sexed bird samples. The HPF/HPR primer set was found to demonstrate a better performance and reliability. Therefore, these primers should be used to determine the sex of juvenile birds to avoid or minimize incompatibilities during the selection of potential breeding pairs.

Niveles séricos de triglicéridos y colesterol en caballos peruanos de paso bajo dos sistemas de crianza / Triglycerides and cholesterol serum levels in peruvian paso horses under two rearing systems

El objetivo del presente estudio fue comparar los niveles de triglicéridos (TG), colesterol total (CT) y fraccionado en caballos peruanos de paso (CPP) de la Región Lambayeque. Se analizaron sueros de 50 CPP (25 sedentarios, 25 activos). Los TG y CT se determinaron con el uso de kits comerciales, mientras que las lipoproteínas HDL-C y LDL-C se determinaron después de precipitación selectiva con polímeros precipitantes selectivos (sulfato de dextrán, Mg++). Las VLDL-C se calcularon restando al CT los valores de HDL-C + LDL-C. Los niveles promedio fueron de 25.69 mg/dl para TG, 108.71 mg/dl para CT, 66.55 mg/dl para HDL-C, 21.38 mg/dl para LDL-C, y 20.78 mg/dl para VLDLC. Los valores séricos de HDL-C en CPP activos fueron estadísticamente superiores que en los sedentarios (p<0.01), en tanto que los valores de TG fueron inferiores en caballos castrados en comparación con las yeguas (p<0.05). Los CPP sedentarios tuvieron niveles menores de HDL-C que los activos, aunque estos últimos tienen menor riesgo aterogénico; sin embargo, tanto caballos activos como sedentarios son poco susceptibles a sufrir hipertrigliceridemia.

The objective of the study was to compare the level of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) and its fractions (VLDC-C, LDL-C and HDL-C) in blood serum of Peruvian Paso Horses (CPP) in the Lambayeque Region. Serum of 50 CPP animals (25 sedentary and 25 active) were analyzed. TG and TC levels were determined using commercial kits, whereas HDL-C and LDL-C were determined using selective polymer precipitants (dextransulphate, Mg++). VLDL-C was calculated by subtracting HDL-C + LDL-C values from TC levels. Mean values were 25.69 mg/dl for TG, 108.71 mg/dl for TC, 66.55 mg/dl for HDL-C, 21.38 mg/dl for LDL-C, and 20.78 mg/dl for VLDL-C. HDL-C serum values in active CPP animals were statistically higher than in sedentary horses (p<0.01), whereas TG values.

Estudo sobre a expressão dos genes de alfa amilase de Bacillus Stearothermophilus e de Anospheles merus em células de bactéria, levedura e inseto / Studies on the gene expression of Bacillus stearothermophilus and Anopheles merus alpha amylases in bacteria, yeast, insect cells

O gene A1 da alfa amilase foi isolado de uma biblioteca genômica em lambda EMBL3, feita com DNA do díptero primitivo Anopheles merus (Díptera, Nematocera, Culicoidea). Ele foi parcialmente seqüênciado, caracterizado pelo padrão da clivagem das enzimas restritivas e clonado no plasmídeo pIBI24 por Pernasetti (1991). No presente trabalho relata-se sua expressão em: bactéria (Eschirichia coli AD494), células de inseto (Spodoptera frugiperda) e em levedura (Pichia pastoris), tendo-se observado que somente nas células de Spodoptera frugiperda a enzima é expressa com atividade. A expressão extracelular do gene A1 foi ensaiada em E. coli AD494 usando o vetor pRSETc...